Loose-leaf ledger.



No. 784311. PATENTED MAR. '7, 1905.

H. ELINOFF & E. AXTHELM.

T. A. AXTHELM n H. C. ARNOLD, ADMINISTRATORS 0F E. AXTHELM. DECD.

LOOSE LBAP'LEDGBR.

APPLIOATION FILED DBO. 24, 1902.

UNITED STATES Patented March 7, 1905.

PATENT OFFICE.

HARRY ELINOFF AND ERNST AXTHELM, OF PITTSBURG, PENNSYLVANIA; THEODORE A.AXTHELM AND HENRY C. ARNOLD, ADMINISTRATORS OF SAID ERNST AXTHELM,DECEASED, ASSIGNORS, BY DIRECT AND h/IESNE ASSIGNMENTS, TO TENGWALL FILE& LEDGER COMPANY, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS, A CORPORATION OF ILLINOIS.

LOOSE-LEM= LEDGER.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 784,311, dated March 7,1905.

` Application filed December 24, 1902. Serial No. 136,437.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, HARRY ELINOFE and ERNST AXTHELM, citizens of theUnited States of America, residing at Pittsburg, inthe county ofAllegheny and State of Pennsylvania, have invented certain new anduseful Improvements in Loose-Leaf Ledgers, of which the following is aspecification, reference being had therein to the accompanying'drawings.

This invention relates to certain new and useful improvements inloose-leaf ledgers and account-books, and has for its object theprovision of novel means wherebythe leaves of a book may be easilyremoved and again replaced in position when desired; furthermore, toprovide means that will efectually lock and retain a number of leaves inposition in the binder.

Our invention further contemplates to previde a device of theabove-described character containing a double lock, one for securing thehinged sections in the locked position when desired and the other forthe purpose of locking the plate upon the posts and against the leavesof the binder.

A still further object of our invention is to provide a device of theabove-described character which will be extremely simple, strong,durable, comparatively inexpensive to manufacture, and highly efficientin its use.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in thenovel construction, combination, and arrangement of parts, to behereinafter more fully described, and specifically pointed out in theclaims.

In describing the invention in detail reference is had to theaccompanying drawings, forming a part of this speciiicatiomand whereinlike numerals of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalviews, in which- Figure l is a perspectiveview of our improved binder,showing the same in the locked position with a number of leaves removed.Fig. 2 is a fragmentary plan View of one of the sections forming thelocking-plate, showing the lock in an open position. Fig. 3 is a similarview showing the lock in a closed position. Fig. 4 is a verticalsectional View of the same. Fig. 5 is a sectional view of one of thetelescopic posts. Fig. 6 is a fragmentary end view of the binder,showing the hinges in thc locked position. Fig. 7 is a similar Viewshowing the same in an unlocked position. Fig. 8 is a detail rear viewof the hinge connection. Fig. 9 is a sectional view of the same.

In the drawings the binder is of the ordinary and well-knownconstruction, comprising the sides 1 and the back l', and is providedwith hinges 9.. Upon the outer face of one or both of the hinges issecured a springplate 3, carrying on its under face a pin 4, which isformed integral therewith and eX- tends through the registering openingsformed through the sections of the hinge connection. Posts 5 are securedin the binder, which posts carry telescopic sections 6, which areslidably secured therein. These sections 6 are screwthreaded at theirends, as at 7 and are provided with heads 8, said sections serving tohold the leaves in order and facilitate their return to the posts properwhen any number of leaves have been removed for any purpose. Upon theposts 5 is arranged a locking-plate 9, which is formed in two sectionsand is provided with any suitable covering, which serves to bind the twosections together. One or both of these sections are recessed, as shownat 10, in which is secured a spring 11, carrying on its ends loops 12,which encircle the posts 5, which extend through the lockingplate. Inthe recess l0 is also secured atumbler 14, which when engaged andoperated by the key 15, extending through the keyhole 16, formed in thelocking-plate, will operate the lock in the position as shown in Fig. 3of the drawings, thereby securely engaging the posts 5 and locking-platethereto.

In order to remove a number of leaves from the ledger or account-book,the spring-plate 3 is operated, withdrawing the pin 4 from engagementwith one of the sections 4of the hinge, thereby permitting the hinge tooperate. Thereafter the heads 8 are removed from the section 6. The keyis then operated, thereby unlocking the locking-plate and moving it intoposition as shown in Fig. 2 of the drawings. The plate may then bereadily removed from the posts, and the leaves will then be free to bedetached from the binder. In order to replace the leaves, the reverseoperation takes place in a manner as will be readily apparent from theforegoing description, taken in connection with the accompanyingdrawings. f

It will be noted that various changes may be made in the details ofconstruction without departing from the general spirit of our invention.

Having fully described our invention, what we claim as new, and desireto secure by Letters Patent, is-

1. A temporary binder comprising side portions and a back, hingesconnecting the side portions, means to lock said hingesposts arranged insaid binder, a locking-plate formed in two sections, a spring secured insaid sections having loops on its free ends encircling said posts, andmeans whereby said springs may be operated to lock said plate to saidposts, substantially as described.

2. In combination, a support provided with a pair of parallel posts, asecond member apertured to iit upon said posts, and means for adjustablylocking said apertured member to the posts, comprising a flexible stripmounted upon said apertured member, having its ends arranged to encirclethe posts, and means for flexing itsl intermediate portion, whereby thelocking-strip is in efect shortened and the ends thereof drawn intoclamping engagement with the posts.

3. In a temporary binder, the combination of a back strip provided witha pair of parallel posts, a second back strip apertured to [it upon saidposts, and means for adjustably locking said apertured member to theposts comprising a flexible strip arranged within said apertured memberand having its end portions arranged to extend around the said aperturesso as to engage said posts when the latter occupy the apertures, andmeans for tensioning said strip to draw it into clamping engagement withsaid posts.

4. In a temporary' binder, the combination of a support provided with apost and a second member apertured to fit upon said post and means foradjustably locking said members together, comprising a strip ofresilient metal mounted upon said apertured member and arranged toencircle the post-aperture therethrough, and means for fiexing .thestrip at a 'point between the .held ends for the purpose set forth.

In testimony whereof We aiix our slgnatures 1n the presence of twowitnesses.

HARRY ELINOFF. ERNST AXTHELM.

Witnesses:

H. C. EVERT, A. 'M WILSON.

